Khaira slams proposed Indo-US trade deal, calls it ‘anti-farmer’

Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader, Bholath MLA and chairman of the All India Kisan Congress Sukhpal Singh Khaira on Thursday criticised the proposed Indo-US trade deal, terming it "anti-farmer" and a "serious threat" to the agricultural economy of Punjab and the country.Khaira said any agreement allowing increased import of subsidised agricultural products from the United States would expose Indian farmers to unfair competition, as American farmers received massive govt subsidies, advanced infrastructure support and assured market protection."Our farmers, already burdened with rising input costs, stagnant MSP expansion and mounting debt, cannot compete with heavily subsidised US agriculture. Such a treaty will devastate Punjab's agrarian economy and push farmers into deeper financial distress," he said.The Congress leader warned that opening Indian markets to cheaper imports of crops such as maize, soybean, dairy products and other farm commodities would lead to a collapse in domestic prices, directly hurting the income and livelihood of millions of farmers.Khaira also expressed concern that the agreement might gradually weaken India's minimum support price (MSP) system and public procurement mechanism, which form the backbone of Punjab's rural economy.The All India Kisan Congress chairman also demanded that the Govt of India make the full details of the proposed treaty public and hold comprehensive consultations with farmer organisations and state govts before signing any agreement that affects the livelihood of the farming community.Khaira also took a dig at the Shiromani Akali Dal and its president Sukhbir Singh Badal, questioning their complete silence on the issue. "The Akali Dal claims to be a party of farmers, yet it has not uttered a single word against a treaty that threatens the very survival of Punjab's farmers. Their silence exposes their political opportunism and lack of commitment to the farming community," he said.The legislator urged the Akali leadership to clarify its stand and come forward to protect the interests of Punjab's farmers instead of remaining silent spectators.He reiterated that the Congress party and the All India Kisan Congress would strongly oppose any trade agreement that compromised India's food security, weakened MSP, or harmed the economic interests of the farmers.MSID:: 128257901 413 |